Concert goers from all over the country flock to Symphony Woods Park in Columbia, Maryland for concerts and other events. The sprawling outdoor venue has been in operation since 1967, and its amenities include restrooms and a parking garage. Its ambiance makes the event a unique experience, and is worth visiting for its historic building, a replica of the White House. It is located at 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia, MD 21044.
While the Columbia Association maintains the 36-acre park, the park itself isn't very busy most of the time. There are no sidewalks, and visitors often have to walk along bare ground next to the fence or side of the road. The area is also home to the Merriweather Post Pavilion, the region's largest outdoor concert venue. Though the park gets a lot of use during certain annual events, it is rarely used on any given day.
Volunteers should dress for the weather and wear sturdy work gloves and long pants. Those in shorts and open-toed shoes will be turned away. For those who are comfortable wearing sneakers, there are a few parking lots available near Symphony Woods Drive. Parking in these lots will be free, and the Howard EcoWorks team will be wearing bright yellow shirts. If you can't make the event, there are other volunteer opportunities available.
The City of Columbia has several public parks within the city limits. Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods is the largest in the city, and is the heart of Downtown Columbia. A variety of free community concerts take place in the park, including the Columbia Orchestra Summer Pops in June. Ticketed performances also take place here, and many community events are held here. In addition to performing classical music, the city also hosts free kids' concerts and other events.
The Inner Arbor Trust, the not-for-profit organization responsible for the development of Symphony Woods, recently released an updated concept plan. This plan outlines what the park should look like. The trust hopes to make Symphony Woods a vibrant community park in the heart of Downtown Columbia. The Inner Arbor Trust has a Board of Directors made up of two CA members and the city's president. The trust's work is overseen by the Inner Arbor Trust, and the plan will be implemented by the organization.
The revised concept plan includes a visitors center at the west entrance, in the spirit of the Rouse Company's original Exhibit Center. The plan also includes restrooms for people on the west side of the park, since the Merriweather Post Pavilion restrooms are locked behind a fence. It would address both sides of the park's fence and the northern section of the fence. Symphony Woods Columbia MD deserves a park worthy of such a beautiful space.
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